Lawton Fort Sill Oklahoma

 

Fort Sill

About 85 miles of Oklahoma City, a United Stated States Army post called Fort Sill can be found. It is located near Lawton Oklahoma.

Of all the forts on the South Plains established during the Indian Wars, Fort Sill remains as the only active Army installation up to this day. Aside from being the home of the United States Army Field Artillery School, United States Army Air Defense Artillery School, Marine Corp’s site for Field Artillery MOS School, the 31^st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the 75^th Fires Brigade, and the 214^th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill is also one of five locations for Army Basic Combat Training and is also elected as a National Historic Landmark.

Currently, Major General David D. Halverson is the commanding general of Fort Sill and Fires Center of Excellence.

History

January 8, 1869 is the exact date when the site of Fort Sill was staked out by Major General Philip H. Sheridan. He is the one responsible for leading a campaign into Indian Territory to prevent antagonistic tribes from invading border settlements in both Kansas and Texas.

Six cavalry regiments were involve in Sheridan’s colossal winter campaign. These regiments were accompanied by frontier scouts namely Wild Bill Hickok, Jack Stilwell, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Ben Clark. The 19^th Kansas Volunteers which is the 7^th Cavalry and as well as a group of black “buffalo soldiers” that formed the 10^th Cavalry were also included in the troops that camped at new fort’s location. Together, they were the ones responsible for the construction of the many stone buildings that up to this day still surround the old post quadrangle.

The garrison was called “Camp Wichita” initially and the Indians referred to it as “the Soldier House at Medicine Bluffs.” But Sheridan would change it later on and named it in honor of Brigadier General Joshua W. Sill who died fighting during the American Civil War. Sill was Sheridan’s good friend and also a classmate at West Point. The pioneering post commander was Brevet Major General Benjamin Grierson and the first Indian agent was the grandson of Daniel Boone, Colonel Albert Gallatin Boone.

Peace Policy

A peace policy was approved by President Ulysses Grant several months after Fort Sill was established. The policy places responsibility for the Southwest tribes under Quaker Indian agents. Lawrie Tatum was the first Quaker Agent assigned to the Comanche and Kiowa agency. Soldiers of Fort Sill were constrained from taking disciplinary actions against the Native Americans who thought of it as a sign of weakness which make them decide to resume raiding the Texas frontier and also used Fort Sill as a sanctuary. In the year 1871, several Kiowa Chiefs were boasting about a wagon train massacre which led to Army General William Tecumseh Sherman’s arrival in Fort Sill. He immediately ordered the arrest of these chiefs. This is the reason why two of the Indians attempted to assassinate him during a meeting on Grierson’s porch. Therefore, the Commanding General’s quarters were dubbed as the Sherman House in memory of the particular event.

 

Red River War

In June of the year 1874, Kiowas, Southern Cheyennes, and Comanches engaged into war with the Fort Sill soldiers. This battle between the Indian raiders and the South Plains was dubbed as the Red River War which lasted for 12 months. It was a war of abrasion which involved converging military columns relentlessly in pursuit of their enemies. The tribes eventually surrendered as they were faced with a disappearance of the great buffalo herds and also they did not have a chance to graze their livestock.  The last to abandon the struggle was Quanah Parker together with his Kwahadi Comanches. In June 1985, they arrived in Fort Sill Which marked the end of Indian warfare on the south Plains.

Henry O. Flipper, the first African-American to have graduated as West Point was appointed to the famous Fort Sill’s Buffalo Soldiers in the year 1877. Aside from his responsibilities as a leader to this specific cavalry, Flipper was also responsible for a landmark called the Flipper’s Ditch located on Upton Road by the Fort Sill Golf Course as he directed his men to dig a ditch to drain a swamp during his time as the leader of the 10^th Cavalry.

Indian Territory had no organized government unlike other U.S. territories. Hence, Army posts such as Fort Supply, Fort Arbuckle, and Fort Sill established themselves as the most noteworthy legal and federal presence in Native American Territory. They kept the Indians and civilians alike safe and protected. Also, they served as mediators between the Indians and the Indian Agents at times. They even had time to organize baseball games featuring the cavalry troops, the infantry soldiers, the forts Indian Scouts, the Chickasaw Indians, and other Native American tribes as players.

Sometime in the 1880’s, officers and soldiers rushed to stake claims of the rumored gold to be found in the nearby Wichita Mountains. Fort Sill was almost deserted at that time.

 

Geronimo

Geronimo and 341 other Chiricahua Apache prisoners of war were brought to Fort Sill in the year 1984. They settled in villages scattered around Fort Sill. A couple of years later from Geronimo’s arrival in the post, he was allowed to travel with Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show. He was included in the Indian contingent that made appearances in several annual World Expositions in the 1890’s and also in the beginning of the 1900’s. Geronimo also met President Theodore Roosevelt during one of his trips when he and other Indian leaders rode in the inaugural parade of the president. He and other Apache prisoners had free range of Fort Sill being a member of Fort Sill’s Native Scouts. However, he still managed to make one recognized escape attempt though not in the cinematic fashion of jumping off the steep Medicine Bluffs on his horse in a hail of bullets as showed and made famous in the 1939 Geronimo film. This particular film was the inspiration for parachutists of the 501^st Parachute Infantry Regiment that made them yell Geronimo’s name while they jumped out of a plane or a helicopter. Geronimo once decided to escape to his homeland in Arizona after visiting the off-post home of Quanah Parker. He did escape but only to be captured the next day. In 1909, he died of pneumonia and his remains were buried at Fort Sill.

The rest of the Apaches stayed at Fort Sill up until the year of 1913. The US government promised the lands surrounding the fort to the Chiricahua tribe. But local non-Indians refused to go along with the Indian’s settlement.  About 66 percent of the tribe move onto the Mescalero Apache Reservation in the year 1914. The remaining 36 percent of the tribe settled on allotments around Apache and Fletcher, Oklahoma. Today, they are known as the Fort Sill Apache Tribe.

Lieutenant Hugh L. Scott commanded a unit which consisted of entirely Indians and was considered one of the best troops in the west. It was called the Troop L of the 7^th Cavalry. In the 1980’s the US army brutally murdered a lot of Indians on the North Plains. This incident was dubbed as the Bloody Ghost Dance and tribes on the South Plains were spared from experiencing it as Troop L with Scott’s leadership helped them.

 

The Frontier Disappears

In 1901, the Last Indian lands in Oklahoma were opened for settlement. By July of the same year, about 29,000 homesteaders registered as Fort Sill for the land lottery. The tow of Lawton sprang up on August 6, 1901 and it immediately became the Oklahoma’s third largest city.

Progressively, the mission of Fort Sill changed from cavalry to field artillery with the disappearance of the frontier. In 1902, the first artillery battery arrived at Fort Sill and in May of the year 1907 the last cavalry regiment departed. In 1911, the School of Fire for the Field Artillery was established in Fort Sill and six years later the Henry Post Army was constructed for artillery observation and spotting. The school continues to operate up to this day and it is globally known as the U.S. Army Field Artillery School. Fort Sill has also served home to the Infantry School of Musketry, the Artillery Officers Candidate School (Robinson Barracks), the Air Service Flying School, the Army Aviation School, and the School for aerial Observers at several various occasions.

 

Henry Post Army Airfield

Fort Sill also encompasses the area wherein the military combat aviation was founded; it is situated at the parade field at the Old Post Quadrangle at Fort Sill. It was also the site where the 1^st Squadron, under the supervision of Captain Benjamin D. Foulois, uncrated their new and unassembled airplanes. In 1915, the unit eventually assembled the airplanes. They made their first flights in August of the same year. The first plane accidents tragically occurred two days after the first flight. It was on the 12^th day of August, the pilot named Lt. Rondondo B. Sutton was severely injured and was brought to the hospital but his passenger, Captain George H. Knox, who is the paymaster of Fort Sill at that time unfortunately did not survived the crash. An article published by the Lawton Constitution Newspaper declared that a large crowd of civilians were at the field to watch the aircraft in flight and were horrified after witnessing the accident. A second crash followed barely a month removed from the first one. On September 5, 1915, another plane was lost which led to Foulois decision to ground the remaining planes due to safety concerns.

The Squadron fearlessly started conducting trials with the field artillery to find out if they could perform investigation of field positions. However, due to lack of adequate equipment, they generated disappointing results. They temporarily stopped the operation and resumed by October 14 as new equipment was ordered and delivered. In order to test aerial photography using a Brock camera, Lt. T.D. milling took the first two flights on October 22 and two weeks later, the squadron successfully made their first photo mosaic consisting of 42 plates.

On November 19, the squadron left Fort Sill for good. They went on a cross-country trip flying six planes to Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The aviators which were supported by a trail of supply-laden heavy trucks and their mechanics on motorcycles arrived on November 26, without any major incidents to delay them completing a total of 493 historic miles of cross-country distance flight.

Due to tension flaring along the U.S. Mexico border, the squadron was stranded in Texas. A Mexican Revolutionary named Pancho Villa felt that they were betrayed by the U.S. government when it recognized the Mexican Government of Venustiano Carranza. Having that said, Villa started conducting attack on Americans in northern part of Mexico. Villa’s troops attacked Columbus, New Mexico and also a detachment of the 13^th Cavalry on March 9, 1916. Eight were seriously wounded and 18 American soldiers and civilians alike were killed which led to President Woodrow ordering Villa’s arrest. The president sent 4,800 men, under the leadership of General John J. Pershing, to Mexico to capture Pancho Villa.

Among the army was the 1^st Aero Squadron. From Texas, they moved to Casas Grandes in Mexico and immediately began performing aerial scouting duties such as delivering mail and transporting and dispatching of senior officers. Their airplanes were designed for training and not for battle therefore they were limited to such simple tasks. One rain storm made them discovered that they did not have enough power to fly over the northern Mexico mountains as the storm nearly dumped a foot of water onto the Foulois’ craft’s cockpit which flooded out his engine. He was fortunate enough to land his plane safely even without power. In addition to did not having enough power, every landing carried out in Mexico proved to be hostile territory. A lot of pilots discovered themselves being cut off from friendly lines with little more than their common sense to save them from unreceptive Mexican officials and civilians alike.

Averaging 36 miles for each mission, the squadron has completed 540 missions in six weeks time. Two airplanes craft during the missions as all the airplanes were worn out. Four planes were also grounded as they required parts to be replaced with new ones. After several weeks, pilots and crew members alike had blisters in their hands, they got it from carving new propellers that were made out of logs. The U.S Army eventually ordered the squadron to go back to Columbus, New Mexico as finding a lost and thirsty cavalry column was the only considered military success it had achieved.

New airplanes were then awarded to the squadron. However, these airplanes were hastily packed by the factory and were all required major modifications because of some missing parts. The 1st Aero Squadron did not make any flights until they were included in the American Expeditionary Force in World War I. The Squadron was deployed to France.

In August of the year 1917, Capt H.R. Eyrich inspected a new location of airfield at Fort Sill and soon founded Henry Post Army Airfield. It was named on honor of 2^nd Lt. Henry B. Post who died in a plane crash in the state of California in 1914. The field encompasses a small plateau located about a mile south of the main post cantonment area. Construction on wooden hangars, officer housing and offices immediately began.

On August 29, 12 Curtiss R4 airplanes under the command of Captain Weir left Fort Sam Houston to move to Fort Sill. It was the 3^rd Aero Squadron. Then on July 22, 1918, it was re-elected as Squadron A, Post Field, Oklahoma. It was demobilized as the World War I ended on January 2 of the year 1919. Nowadays, the 3rd Aero Squadron is known as the 3rd Flying Training Squadron and trains pilots at Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma.

Aside from the 3^rd Aero Squadron being sent to Fort Sill in August of 1917, the 4th Aero Squadron also arrived in the Post Airfield that summer. Prior to its deactivation on January 2, 1919, The 4^th Aero Squadron operated as a school that observes the field artillery. Nowadays, the 4^th Aero Squadron is more popularly known as the 394^th Combat Training Squadron at Whiteman AFB, Montana.

When Company A, 1^st Balloon Squadron arrived at Fort Sill on September 5, 1917, aviation at Fort Sill added ships that were described to be “lighter than air” to its inventory. This particular squadron came from the Balloon School in Omaha, Nebraska. The Company was divided into two to form the 25^th and 26^th Balloon Companies on February 16 and April 2, 1918. Also of the same year, a Balloon Corps Training School was established in Post Field to be able to meet the demand for trained observers for field artillery. The school had trained 751 officers and produced 89 companies during the World War I. 33 out of the 89 Companies were then deployed to Europe.

The school made use of balloons and repaired wing aircraft to conduct aerial observation. In the 1920’s and 30’s, “captured” balloons that are sausage-like in shape  and as well as spherical-shaped “free” balloons were utilized by the balloonists. They were trained on free flight using the “free” balloons providing that they would stay within the vicinity of pos, around 50 miles from it and 8,000 feet. The “captured” balloons were used only for observation. These balloons were attached to trucks on the ground and traveled at an average speed of 60 miles per hour. They were operated at a maximum height of 4,300 feet as they observed and relayed fire-corrective information to trucks only utilized for special operations. The balloons were inflated with hydrogen.

Balloon companies were a corps-level asset during the World War I. The Army even included an aero squadron in every corps. Corps consisted of other auxiliary units such as an anti aircraft artillery battalion, an anti-aircraft machine –gun, a telegraph battalion, a baker company, telegraph battalion, a troop transport train, a photo section, a sales commissary unit, a field signal battalion, and a remount depot.

By the year of 1937, self-propelled balloons were developed at Post Field. Designed to be powered to an observation point, these balloons have their motors removed and observation baskets were connected. In 1934, the famous balloon hangar transported to Fort Sill from Moffitt Field. It was intended to serve as shelter for the dirigibles. It has a unique cross on the side of its building but has no religious representation or significance. The cross was part of an air circulation system which is engineered to parch parachutes and balloon fabrics as well.

Balloons operated on the field up until the year the World War II began (1941). Nowadays, The 1^st Airborne and Control Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska operates and traces its lineage through the 1^st Balloon Company at Post Field.

 

In August 1922, the 44^th Aero Squadron was ordered to aid the Field Artillery School. After five years, it was reassigned to the Air Corps Training Center. Today, the unit is inactive as it was replaced by the 88^th Observation Squadron in September 1928. This Squadron moved from Brooks Field, Texas, to Fort Sill only to leave 3 years later. Today, the 88^th Observation Squadron is known as the 436^th Training Squadron operating in Dyess AFB, Texas. The oldest building constructed at the airfield was the aircraft maintenance hangar which is called building 4908. It was established in the year 1942.

 

World War II to present

The Field Artillery School was allowed to train its own fixed wing pilots as field artillery spotters by the year 1940. 262 pilots and 2,262 mechanics were trained at Post Field by the time the war ended. On December 7, 1945, The Army Ground Forces Air Training School was established and it was later designated as the Army Aviation School. Pilot training for helicopters H25 and H13 started in October of the year 1948. Three years more later, the first warrant officer class had begun.

In order to test equipping CH-34 helicopters with rocket pods connected to each side, the 1^st Artillery Group was structured in 1963. In most combat situations, a transport aircraft is regarded as an easy target. This is why rockets converted it a sophisticated flying weapon that has direct or indirect fires capabilities. Today, they are more popularly known as the Cheyenne and Lon Bow attack helicopters.

In the 60’s, the 295^th Aviation Company was founded at Fort Sill. 10 Skycrane CH-54A was assigned to the unit which also had UH-1H administrative aircraft and soon after an OH-58. The company was the mother company of the 355^th Aviation Company that was sent to Vietnam in 1968 to 1969 and also of the 273^rd Aviation Company which was also deployed to Vietnam a year earlier. The unit was assigned to Finthen Army Airfield in Mainz, Germany in 1969. The company now operates by the title F Company, 159^th Aviation Regiment, a Heavy Lift Helicopter Company, and has CH-47 Chinooks as its primary aircraft equipment.

With its continuous operation, Post Field is the oldest running airfield in the history of the U.S. Army.

 

Historic Recognition

In 1960, Fort Sill was officially declared as a National Historic Landmark

 

Cemeteries

Fort Sill encompasses several cemeteries wherein a lot of Native Americans are laid to rest. Among the famous Indians buried in Fort Sill are Kiowa Chief Satanta, Comanche Chief Quanah Parker, and Geronimo.

 

Activities today

A detachment of the U.S. Marine Corps referred to as MARDET is currently stationed at Fort Sill. The detachment is under the supervision of a colonel and collaborates with the Field Artillery School to conduct Marine artillery men training courses. In addition to that, the marines also serve as fire support and gunnery instructors at the Field artillery Officer Basic Course and at the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course as small group leaders. Together with their Army Counterparts, all Marine artillery officers go to the Field Artillery School to attend further training courses.

Originally organized on March 1, 1907 at Fort Du Pont, Delaware as the 13^th Band, Coast Artillery, the 77^th Army Band with special designation as the Pride of Fort Sill is part of the Fires Center of Excellence.

The Field Artillery Half Section is another special detachment. It consists of eight men who represent the flying artillery which was drawn by a team of horses. Having that said, the Half Section has eight horses and all are named in honor of former commanding generals of Fort Sill. It was organized in 1969 to commemorate Fort Sill’s 100^th anniversary. The celebration included soldiers to be part of the show group while their equipment and transportation are made available through charitable institutions. The world renowned Half Section made appearances in local festivities, ceremonies for change of command, regional parades, and in a presidential inauguration parade.